We are developing a microwave ion trap capable of confining ultra-cold plasmas. If you cool a cloud of ions to temperatures as low as -273 degrees Celsius, it “freezes” and forms a “gas-phase” crystal. We aim to introduce an electron into this crystal and observe how it reacts with the ions. Once we make this electron stand still, we will watch how it switches between particle-like and wave-like behaviours. This may be exploited in quantum technologies that we have no clue about

About the PI

Dr. Michal Hejduk’s CV in a nutshell:

• 2013: PhD in cold plasma physics from Prague
• 2014–2017: Postdoc in cluster physics at Freiburg, Germany
• 2017–2020: Post-doctoral research associate in the Heazlewood Group at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford (UK)
• 2020: Brief stint as an optical engineer in the automotive industry

Since 2021, Dr. Hejduk has been leading his own research in the field of sub-kelvin plasma. This involves the development of both planar and three-dimensional radio-frequency/microwave traps capable of confining electrons and ions simultaneously.

News

13.4.2026 - Our student Vineet Kumar has defended his doctoral thesis and is on his way to his first postdoctoral appointment at the University of Osaka.

1.4.2026 - Article about testing trapping electrons in a double-frequency trap published in Physical Review A. We are getting ready for trapping electrons and ions together!

23.3.2026 - Article about fluorescence imaging of atomic cloud coming from a 3D-printed oven published in Journal of Physics Communications. Read the open-access article here.

9.12.2025 - Our article on 3D-printed components for experimenting with trapped electrons was published in Physica Scripta! Read the open-access article here.

November 2025 - We have published multiple preprints at arXiv. They deal with two-frequency trapping and production of electron/ion traps.

2024 - Our microwave feeding system for point Paul traps is now patented in Czechia. The application for the EU patent is pending.

30.11.2023 - Major Boost: Czech Science Foundation Backs the Development of Radiofrequency Wave Detectors!